Casinos could show right path to reopening

Despite urging from the state for a delay, patrons will again be able to visit the casinos in the state’s southeastern corner in coming days. Similar businesses will wait for Phase 2 at the end of June, but the casinos are on sovereign land and it’s not up to the state government on when they again welcome customers.

It’s in everyone’s interest to see that every caution is exercised. Many state officials this week said they were convinced that safety measures would be sufficient to help stem the spread of coronavirus, and now the rest of us have to hope they are correct. The consequences otherwise could be serious.

Phase 1 of the state’s reopening started quietly last week, with restaurants now allowed to offer outdoor dining and other businesses back open, with social distancing and other measures required to limit exposure. But in a sign that government only has so much sway on the pace of reopening, many people continued to stay away, reasoning — understandably, maybe — that not everyone would be as cautious as they would like to see, and that it might be better to stay home a bit longer.

As the reopening process continues, the state will be closely watching to see if those trends continue. Once restaurants are open for indoor dining and more businesses pull up their gates, including movie theaters and other entertainment venues, we’ll have a better indication of whether people are willing to brave the public in larger numbers.

The reopening of the casinos June 1 could help set the tone. Officials need to make sure it’s a positive one.

Three of Gov. Ned Lamont’s top agency leaders on Wednesday took a tour to see preparations for a partial reopening at Foxwoods Resort Casino June 1, and while they did not offer public comment, some state legislators said they were convinced that safety was top of mind.

“The governor is right to push for every precaution and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler is right in prioritizing reopening the casino, which employs thousands of our neighbors,” state Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, D-Bethel, said after his tour of Foxwoods on Wednesday.

The casinos will not be anywhere near full capacity. Foxwoods will continue to prohibit buses, will have only partial hotel occupancy and no buffets or bingo. It could be a year or more before the casinos are back up to 100 percent of their prepandemic customer numbers.

And casino operators are as aware as anyone of the dangers. “I have tribal elders working at Foxwoods,” Butler said. “This is my family going to work here.”

It’s in everyone’s interest to put safety first. Even with the strict measures the state has had in place since March, more than 3,800 deaths in the state have been linked to the coronavirus and Connecticut continues to be among the hardest-hit states in the nation, even as the numbers are improving. To continue on the right path, safety measures and common sense must continue to take priority.

Done right, the casinos could help illuminate the path forward.

In a sign that government only has so much sway on the pace of reopening, many people continued to stay away, reasoning not everyone would be as cautious as they would like to see.